POTUS 08 On Postponing the Debate -- If It Turns Into a Obama Event....

[moriah]

.... essentially, what they were saying was that since it would not be a debate anymore, that there would be "equal time" provisions that would take effect.

Cable news networks would not be affected as much because that block of time is usually used for some kind of news or special program, usually about politics.

But ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS would have to offer McCain 90 minutes to do with what he wanted, if they broadcast it.

Also, the individual stations in other states that air this instead of their usually scheduled programming would have to offer 90 minutes not just to McCain, but to any third-party candidate on the ballot in their states.

Now... I can't see that as entirely a bad thing. I really don't want to see McCain have an extravaganza, but ...

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My opinion:

If Obama doesn't want to give McCain a 90 minute extravaganza, he needs to pull in a third party to debate with him. Bob Barr, maybe? I mean, the distinction between him and Barr couldn't be more obvious, but it might draw more McCain people in to vote for Barr, which can't hurt us any.

Similar thing happened in 1980, someone missed the first debate and a third party did the debating.

[Atman]

1. I don't buy it. There is no longer any "equal time" law. Reagan killed it.

Just sayin. Sounds like hooey. Or a threat from the media giants to Obama.

.

[moriah]

2. All I can say is, that's what was said on the air this morning in their "Morning Briefing".

They're one of the few media outlets I listen to anymore -- they do a pretty good job of giving equal time to both parties, and their people who do their morning briefing don't seem to be incredibly biased.

One thing they do is speak to both a representative from the DNC and the RNC in the morning and also broadcast conference calls the DNC and RNC both hold to answer reporter questions, and broadcast those calls in their entirety.

They're a pretty decent place for news about the election -- and I LOVE "Capital Hill Blues". Jackie Kucinich is awesome!

[FlyingSquirrel]

3. I think you're right.

What they won't do.......

:eyes:

[moriah]

7. Here's what Wiki has on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-time_rule

The key was that if there is no DEBATE, then it is not a debate, and therefore not a news program. What they seem to indicate that Reagan killed was the need to invite third-parties to *debates*.

[NMDemDist2]

14. they're not talking the Fairness Doctrine that Reagun killed. I think if

Obama got 90 minutes wouldn't it be an 'in kind' contribution from the Networks?

[BumRushDaShow]

4. If the M$M demands that there be "equal time", then THAT should be the policy

for the rest of the election season. If they show x minutes of McPalin rallies, then the IDENTICAL minutes of Obama/Biden rallies should also be shown.

This is bullshit to invoke that which Reagan eliminated ("Fairness Doctrine") because their boy has f*#ked up.

[pnwmom]

5. I don't think he could ask Barr without asking Nader, unfortunately.

And that wouldn't be to our benefit.

[moriah]

8. Could Barr offer without being asked?

We could bombard him with a slew of things -- "Go Debate Obama!"

Now, if only we could figure out a way to make it happen *without* Nader.... ooh boy, that would be fun. We definitely don't want Nader there.

[mucifer]

6. If mcstupid's equal time isn't tonight, not as many people are going to watch.

I really think many will tune in tonight to see what Obama is going to do and I think mcstupid will show up at the last minute and all will be forgiven... not by us of course, but by the press.

[bluestateguy]

9. Or he could bring in Cynthia McKinney

She's such a wackjob that having her alongside Obama would make him look centrist and reasonable.

[Bucky]

12. Bob Barr would make more sense tactically.

McKinney would turn the event into a joke. Obama can only benefit from contrasting himself with a do-nothing philosophy, plus Barr's gain would only come at McCain's expense.

[cjsmom44]

10. RE: McStupid will...

Yeah and then McPain will say that Obama loved the rock star like attention and claim he ignored the country's crisis...I can hear it now...this whole thing about McCain suspending his campaign to rescue the country is utter BS....I smell a rat...

[LWolf]

11. They don't have to give him 90 minutes.

They gave him his time: TONIGHT. If he declines, that's his choice, and nobody has to offer him any more.

Offering him equal time that is refused doesn't obligate them to pander to him.

[moriah]

13. I think their concern was this....

... that if it's not a debate, it THEN comes under the equal time doctrine. Obama can get in front of the cameras all he wants and if no one broadcasts it, then no one will be obligated to offer the non-debate time to McCain.

Of course, as Letterman said.... what McCain NEEDS to do is send his second-string quarterback to debate Obama. Oh, yeah. On national security.

Muhahahaha..... never'll happen. If he thought she was even remotely capable of walking and talking and dressing herself, she would be on the campaign trail right now.

[pdxmom]

15. Chuck Todd just said that if McCain doesn't go, then the networks

won't air it. Sounds like there are contigency plans.

[Vinca]

16. Inviting Barr is a very good idea! That could split the Repub. vote in half. nt

[PoiBoy]

17. Switch the debates...

Isn't a Vice-President supposed to be able to stand-in for the President at a moment's notice? I'm sure Joe Biden could step in and do a great job tonight if they were to switch the debates. How do you think Palin would do?

Do the Veep debate tonight and the Presidential debate on Oct. 2nd...

I wonder what McCain's next excuse would be...

[okieinpain]

18. not a bad ideal, but then wouldn't he have to have nader on too.

[moriah]

19. That's why I'm not writing Barr and begging him to go right now.

Of course, I would have hoped after 2000 that the Naderites would have come to their senses...

But likely not.